Fireman&#39;s respirator.



No. 792,227. PATENTED JUNE 13, 1905. W. F. MERRYMAN.

FIREMANS RBSPIRATOR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21,1904- 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Qfimmwo I w W um/mica I I i. @M r HOT/2121a v No. 792,227. PATENTED JUNE 13, 1905.

W. P. MERRYMAN.

FIREMANS RESPIRATOR.

APPLICATION TILED NOV. 21,1904.

2 SHBETSSHEBT 2.

; ww w avwemlfoz wimwoeo U4 i I gmwzm 2 j j? U NTTED STATES Patented June 13, 1905.

PATENT EEIcE.

\VILLIAM FRANCIS MERRYMAN, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO HENRY R. WOLOOTT, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

FIREIVIANS RESPIRATOR- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 792,227, dated June 13, 1905. Applicati n fil d November 21,1904. Serial No. 233,618.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LWVILLIAM FRANoIs MER- RYMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Firemens Respirators; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description'of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in firemens respirators, being a device adapted for use under circumstances where my air-accumulator covered by United States Letters Patent No. 4&1,119 cannot be employed.

My present invention is provided with a mask adapted to be worn by the user whereby the external atmosphere is excluded from the mouth and nostrils. This mask is connected, by means of tubes, with an air-bag provided with a distending-spring or a spring arranged in such a manner as to limitits tendency to collapse. The apparatus is further provided with an oxygen-receptacle having valve-controlled communication with the mask, whereby the wearer may admit oxygen for breathing purposes when necessary. The device is also provided with a small water-containing receptacle having communication both with the mask and with the tubes, the communication with the tubes being valve-controlled, whereby a small amount of water may be allowed to drip into the air-tubes for the purpose of cooling the air as it is inhaled from the bag. The air-bag is provided with a checkvalve adapted to open to relieve the pressure in the bag incident to the increase in temperature of the air within the bag due to exhalation. The tubes of my present apparatus may be detached from the air-bag and connected with the air-accumulator of my said patent whenever desired. In fact, the air-bag and air-accumulator may be alternately used, as circumstances or necessity may require. The air-accumulator should always be used when accessible, since the fireman can work comfortably for an indefinite period when the tubes are connected with the air-accumulator, since the accumulator is supplied with ample air for breathing purposes by the air which accompanies the water which passes through the hose-nozzle by which the accumulator is surrounded. My present invention is only intended to supply the fireman with the means of breathing for a limited period under circumstances when he cannot have access to the hose-nozzle provided with the airaccumulator.

Having briefly outlined my improved construction, as well as the function it is intended to perform, I will proceed to describe the same in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates my improved device in use. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device partly in section. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation shown in detail. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the upper extremity of the oxygen-container. Fig. 5 is a front View of the air-bag. Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken through the check-valve on the air-bag. Fig. 7is an enlarged view, partly in section, of the coupling for connecting the tubes with the air-bag. Figs. 8 and 9 are detail views showing the nipple of the air-bag and the tube-coupling, respectively.

The-same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate a mask adapted to be applied to the face and head of the fireman and made of flexible material, as indiarubber, whereby it fits sufficiently closely to exclude the external air and its impurities, as smoke, noxious gases, and other foreign substances. Oonnected with the lower part of this mask are two tubes 6, which are connected together for a considerable distance or until a point 7 is reached, from which they branch or separate, as shown at 6*, their extremities being provided with couplings 8, equipped with lugs 9, adapted to interlock with coopcrating lugs 10, formed on nipples 12, having bases 13, the said nipples being secured to the flexible air-bag 1a, which is secured to the person of the wearer by a belt 15, which passes around the body and is connected with a buckle 16. This air-bag is provided with a controlled outlet 17 for the exhaust and, as shown in the drawings, (see Fig. 6,) consists of a nipple 18, over which is slipped a cap 19, in which is threaded a screw 20. Inside of the nipple 18 is located a light disk 21, normally covering an orifice 22. The function of the screw 20 is to limit the movement of the valve-disk 21 away from the orifice in order to relieve the air-bag from the increase of pressure within due to the increase in the temperature of the air resulting from exhalation. The air after being expelled from the lungs is considerably warmer, as is well known, than when taken into them that is to say, under ordinary circumstances. This increase in temperature will result in an increase in the pressure within the air-bag, and in order to relieve the wearer from any distress due to this increase in temperature the exhaust-valve construction 17 is provided. Hence during exhalation, whereby the pressure within the air-bag is increased beyond the normal atmospheric pressure, the valvedisk 21 will move away from the orifice 22 and allow the restoration of equilibrium between the pressure of the air within the bag and that of the atmosphere. It will be observed that the cap 19 and the nipple 18 are provided with registering orifices, whereby when the valve-disk moves away from the orifice 22 there is free communication between the external atmosphere and the interior of the bagl lz.

Located within the bag 14 are two coilsprings 23, whose function is to distend the bag during exhalation to its normal volume without the exercise of undue force on the part of the user. It will be understood that during inhalation there will be a tendency of the flexible bag to collapse, resulting in a decrease in the interior volume of the bag. 11 hen, however, the user exhales, if it were not for these springs the force of the expelled air must necessarily act to distend the bag to its normal volume; but without the springs the valve 21 would. open before the bag would be distended, and this would result in reducing the normal volume of the air within the bag. However, with the springs as soon as the user begins to exhale the recoil of the springs will distend the bag to its normal volume, and the valve-disk 21 will open to restore the equilibrium between the internal and external air, as heretofore explained.

Connected with the lower part of the mask is a small water-receptacle 24, communicating with the interior of the mask by an orifice 25 at its upper extremity. Its lower extremity is provided with a valve-controlled nipple 26, from which leads two branches 2?, which communicate, respectively, with the tubes 6. The valve 28 should be so regulated that the water drips slowly into the tubes 6, whereby the air is cooled and revitalized by the oxygen of the water.

Mounted on the apparatus is an oxygencontainer 30. The upper extremity of this container is connected with the mask directly opposite the mouth of the user by a valvecontrolled conduit 29. The valve 31 of this conduit is held normally closed by a spring 32. \Vhen the user desires to admit oxygen from the container, he presses on the exhausthead. of the valve 31, allowing a portion of the oxygen from the container to enter the mask for breathing purposes. The lower extremity of the container is provided with a filling-nipple 33, which may be connected in any suitable manner with a pump for supplying the container with oxygen at any desired.

pressure.

The parts 14, 24:, and 30 are preferably composed of flexible material whereby they are collapsible. By virtue of this construction they are worn with ease and are not burdensome, as would be the case if they were formed of rigid material. By virtue of their collapsible nature they are also adapted to be reduced to small compass, whereby they are easily carried by the fireman until it becomes necessary to use the apparatus.

From the foregoing description the use and operation of my improved device will be read ily understood. Vv'henever for any reason the atmosphere is so vitiated by smoke, gases, or other foreign matter or substances that it is rendered unfit for breathing, the fireman immediately applies the mask to his face and head and adjusts the valve 28 to allow the water to drip into the tube 6, as heretofore explained. He is then allowed to breathe the air contained in the bag 14, the action of the bag being as heretofore explained. henever it is desired to obtain a supply of oxygen from the container 30, the valve 31 is opened by pressure, as already explained.

The front of the mask is provided on the inside with a piece of absorbent material 33, as sponge. This engages the top of the nose and has a tendency to absorb the moisture of condensation resulting from breathing within the mask.

l/Vhile my invention is more particularly intended for use by firemen, it is evident that it may be employed to advantage in all relations and under all circun'istances where it becomes necessary or desirable for a person to remain in locations where the air is vitiated or rendered unfit for breathing in any manner whatever.

Having thus described my invention, what I. claim is 1. In a firemans respirator, the combinatoin of a mask adapted to closely lit the face and head of the wearer, a spring-distended air-bag, and a tube connecting the mask with the air-bag for the purpose set forth.

IIO

2. The combination of a flexible mask adapted to fit the face and head of the wearer, a spring distended air bag provided With a valve for restoring the equilibrium between the interior and external air, and tubes connecting the mask With the air-bag for the purpose set forth.

3. In a respirator, the combination of a mask of the class described, an air-bag, a flexible conduit connecting the mask and air-bag, a Water-receptacle connected With the mask and communicating with the flexible conduit, and means for controlling the passage of water from the receptacle t0 the conduit, substantially as described.

4. The combination of a mask of the class described, an air-bag, tubes connecting the mask and air bag, an oxygen container, a valve-controlled conduit connecting the said container with the mask, a Water-receptacle connected with the mask, and a valve-controlled conduit leading from the Water-receptacle to the conduit connecting the mask and air-bag for the purpose of controlling the passage of Water from the receptacle to the lastnamed conduit for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of tWo witnesses.

WILLIAM FRANCIS MERRYMAN. WVitnesses:

DENA NELsoN, A. J. OBRIEN. 

